PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to explore an understanding of the psychosocial-behavioral impact of diabetes self-management among veterans with diabetes. METHODS: Twenty-six veterans participated in 1 of 9 focus groups that were conducted following a group diabetes self-management education class and prior to a mindfulness intervention as part of a feasibility pilot study. Discussions were guided by open-ended questions that addressed the overarching research question, "How do attitudes and experiences with diabetes inform psychosocial-educational approaches to diabetes self-management education and care for veterans?" Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed. The data was then independently coded and thematically analyzed by 2 coders. RESULTS: Five main themes that reflect veterans' perceptions of their experiences with diabetes and diabetes self-management were identified: (1) distress and negative emotions, (2) social isolation, (3) perceived lack of control, (4) attitudes toward diabetes support, and (5) desire for information about stress, diabetes, health, and behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Veterans experience emotional distress and have unmet psychosocial needs related to diabetes self-management. Insight gained from these veteran perspectives suggests a framework for integrating psycho-educational interventions like mindfulness into diabetes care that emphasize stress reduction, person-centered communication, and opportunities for peer support.
PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to explore an understanding of the psychosocial-behavioral impact of diabetes self-management among veterans with diabetes. METHODS: Twenty-six veterans participated in 1 of 9 focus groups that were conducted following a group diabetes self-management education class and prior to a mindfulness intervention as part of a feasibility pilot study. Discussions were guided by open-ended questions that addressed the overarching research question, "How do attitudes and experiences with diabetes inform psychosocial-educational approaches to diabetes self-management education and care for veterans?" Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed. The data was then independently coded and thematically analyzed by 2 coders. RESULTS: Five main themes that reflect veterans' perceptions of their experiences with diabetes and diabetes self-management were identified: (1) distress and negative emotions, (2) social isolation, (3) perceived lack of control, (4) attitudes toward diabetes support, and (5) desire for information about stress, diabetes, health, and behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Veterans experience emotional distress and have unmet psychosocial needs related to diabetes self-management. Insight gained from these veteran perspectives suggests a framework for integrating psycho-educational interventions like mindfulness into diabetes care that emphasize stress reduction, person-centered communication, and opportunities for peer support.
Authors: Allison A Lewinski; Abigail Shapiro; Hayden B Bosworth; Matthew J Crowley; Felicia McCant; Teresa Howard; Amy S Jeffreys; Eleanor McConnell; Paula Tanabe; Susan Barcinas; Cynthia J Coffman; Heather A King Journal: Sci Diabetes Self Manag Care Date: 2021-09-24
Authors: Monica M DiNardo; Carol Greco; Angela D Phares; Nicole M Beyer; Ada O Youk; D Scott Obrosky; Natalia E Morone; Jason E Owen; Shaddy K Saba; Stephen J Suss; Linda Siminerio Journal: BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care Date: 2022-03